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E-News from the Oklahoma Autism Alliance
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Oklahoma Autism Network &
Oklahoma Family Center for Autism
Helping Oklahoma Families Affected by Autism
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June 2009 |
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Greetings!
There have been lots of significant activities in June for our state. The Walk Now for Autism walk, held on June 6. The Autism Summer Symposium was also held this month at Early Foundations. We also had our first DAN conference in Oklahoma on June 13-14 at the Embassy Suites in Norman. Finally, our first statewide event for teens and young adults will be held next week at Cheyenne Middle School in Edmond, OK. These significant events are all moving Oklahoma forward in the cause to help families affected by autism. Thank you to all you who are working so hard to advance our state! You are all heroes and we are all benefiting from the work you are doing!
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Statewide Autism Conference Coming in November!
We are excited to announce that planning is underway for the first statewide conference on autism in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Autism Network convened a committee that is planning for the conference to be held November 6 and 7, 2009 in Norman, Oklahoma. The committee includes state agencies, parent-led organizations, and other groups involved in providing services for individuals with autism in Oklahoma. This conference is a great opportunity for various groups to come together in an effort to provide information and resources for parents and professionals. One of the primary objectives of the Oklahoma Autism Network is to provide credible information for parents to make informed choices regarding intervention for their child. While planning is in the very early stages, the vision of the planning committee is to provide a breadth of information, including current research and best practice in educational and psychosocial interventions, biomedical interventions, family life, and medical aspects of autism. Watch our website for updates as information becomes available. http://www.okautism.org/oaapartners/statewide-autism-conference/ | |
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Spectrum Perspectives
By Shawna Mums
Wake Her Up?
One of my professor's is the most rigid behaviorist I have ever met. Behaviorism is a belief that every action (behavior) can be explained by occurrences which take place in the environment. By this logic, every behavior can be corrected by manipulating the environment. Deep seated in this theoretical background is a hidden optimism only seen by a very keen eye. I've always thought of myself as a positive optimist, but I have come to realize that I am really just a sarcastic yet hopeful pessimist. Not pretty, but unfortunately true. Anyway, I digress. So this professor and I delve into this lengthy discussion about shaping and correcting nighttime enuresis (wetting the bed). He tells me there is an easy fix for this daily problem. One of this professor's many good qualities is his ability to explain the most complex topics in such a way that any and everybody is able to understand. For this bedwetting solution he presented me with an example of his own nightly burden with one of his children. He said that he and his wife were fortunately able to pinpoint the approximate time the child wet the bed. Read more...
Shawna is the parent of a child with autism, Jaymee, and psychology graduate student at Oklahoma State University. More Spectrum Perspectives can be read on our website.
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Oklahoma Parent Groups Are Having Fun This Summer! Mark Your Calendars!
Summer is a great time to do fun family activities, and yet, it can sometimes be very hard. Check out these events where you and your family will be accepted and embraced right where you are!
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
The next AMC-Autism Society Sensory Friendly Film, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, will be held on July 11 at 10 a.m. The shows are offered at AMC Crossroads 16 and AMC Quail Springs 24 on Saturday, July 11th at 10 AM.
Canadian Valley Family Picnic
The next meeting for the Canadian Valley autism support group is July 14th. This month we will have a family picnic at Youth & Family Services (located on Hwy 66 between Yukon and El Reno). For more information call Christie Adams at 262-6555 for more information.
EFCA is offering "Summer Time is Family Time"
Come monkey around with us for the next event on July 22nd at 9:30am at the Oklahoma City Zoo for another great Family Time. The cost is only .75cents per person, please bring a sack lunch and we can eat together while we enjoy all the animals the zoo has to offer.
Look Who's Coming, the EFCA has the honor of presenting to you Dr. Lara Mattox. She will join us for our August meeting and present to us "What to Expect Next". This is an event you will not want to miss so mark your calendars for August 11th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
Calling all Tennis players this event is for you! The EFCA is hosting "Love for Autism" tennis tournament on October 2, 3, and 4th at Kicking Bird Tennis Courts in Edmond. Want to sponsor or enter the tournament? Great, contact Crystal Frost at crystal@okautism-ofca.org for more information. |
Autism Speaks, Walk Now for Autism
Our third Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism was a great day. On June 6th we had 5,000 participants raise over $136,000 for national research and awareness. We had the honor of Congress Woman Mary Fallin as our honorary walk chair with a surprise visit from the states first lady Kim Henry. Thank you to all who participated! Autism Speaks, It's Time to Listen!
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www.OKAutism.org: Did You Know?
 Did you know that you could be a natural resource? What is this? A natural support refers to the support and assistance that naturally flows from the associations and relationships typically developed in natural environments such as the family and community. Find out more.. |
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This 'N That
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Upcoming Trainings and Events
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Get Ready for Life: Summer Advance 2009 
June 22 with Dr. Ruth Aspy and Dr. Barry Grossman
On Monday, June 22nd, Dr. Ruth Aspy and Dr. Barry Grossman will join us in Edmond at Cheyenne Middle School. the one-day training will focus on how to identify the underlying characteristics of autism and how to design appropriate interventions. This training is appropriate for parents and teachers of children of all ages who have autism.
No More Meltdowns July 7th with Dr. Laura A. Riffel
My Child Has Been Diagnosed: What Should I do?
July 8th: A training designed for parents and caregivers of children who have been diagnosed with autism. Part I In Oklahoma City: Registration
My Child Has Been Diagnosed: What Should I do?
July 22nd: A training designed for parents and caregivers of children who have been diagnosed with autism. Part I In Woodward, OK: Registration
My Child Has Been Diagnosed: What Should I do?
August 5th: A training designed for parents and caregivers of children who have been diagnosed with autism. Part I In Tulsa, OK: Registration
Dr. Vincent Carbonne in OKC August 13 - 15
Dr. Vincent Carbonne will describe the behavioral approach to teaching communication skills to children with autism and other developmental disabilities. This approach is based on B. F. Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior and the research of Michael, Sundberg, Partington, and others. More information...
Autism Tool Kit: Life First!
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If you have suggestions for how we can make this e-newsletter more valuable. E-mail us at melinda@okautism-ofca.org
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